#moveable type

[victusinveritas]

[drmorbius12]

"Give me 26 soldiers of lead and I will conquer the world."

Johannes Gutenberg, c. 1450 CE

[literaturha]

Psychically the printed book, an extension of the visual faculty, intensified perspective and the fixed point of view. Associated with the visual stress on point of view and the vanishing point that provides the illusion of perspective there comes another illusion that space is visual, uniform and continuous. The linearity, precision, and uniformity of the arrangement of movable types are inseparable from these great cultural forms and innovations of Renaissance experience. The new intensity of visual stress and private point of view in the first century of printing were united to the means of self-expression made possible by the typographic extension of man.

Marshall McLuhan, Understanding Media

[willkommen-in-germany]

The Gutenberg Bible was among the earliest major books printed using mass-produced movable metal type, invented in Germany. It marked the start of the "Gutenberg Revolution" and the age of printed books in the West.

Widely praised for its high aesthetic and artistic qualities, the book has iconic status. It is an edition of the Vulgate printed in the 1450s in Latin by Johannes Gutenberg in Mainz, Germany.

49 copies (or substantial portions of copies) have survived. They are thought to be among the world's most valuable books, although no complete copy has been sold since 1978. In March 1455, the future Pope Pius II wrote that he had seen pages from the Gutenberg Bible displayed in Frankfurt to promote the edition. It is not known how many copies were printed; the 1455 letter cites sources for both 158 and 180. The 36-line Bible, said to be the second printed Bible, is also referred to sometimes as a Gutenberg Bible, but may be the work of another printer.

[lg-foto]

Proofs for a new broadside series. More to come.

[publicide]

Dynasty Letterpress

Woodblock Printing | Facsimile of block-printing techniques implemented during the Tang Dynasty, c. 700 AD. A masterpiece in a single-set up.

Diamond Sutra Scroll Fragment | Among the first printed Books, preceding the Gutenberg Bible by several centuries. Smyth-Sewn Binding & Perfect Binding also date to this era of Chinese history.

Moveable Wood Block Type | First Developed by Bi Sheng, c. 1040 AD. Versatility, efficiency, and multi-color registration long before CMYK or Variable Data. 

Moveable Bronze Type set | From wood to ceramic to metal, Moveable Type found its stronghold in the 12th century. 

Ancient wisdom and imperial tradition reign supreme when it comes to the world of print. 

We’re fond of all printing methods from gilded specialties to digital, but nothing can quite compare to the tactile beauty and sprawling heritage of letterpress. Beyond the delicate shadows and fine textures, each letterpress print is laden with layers of human attention. Whether your order demands multiple plates, or a simple single-setup, generations of expertise come together at our NYC Print Shop to bring you a flawless print-run. 

Click through for the finest offerings from our Letterpress Printers & send Publicide a note to get your unforgettable printing pressed today.

[john-harkers-journal]

Today I got to see and touch a real page from the Gutenberg Bible!

[rhianna]

Chinese paper money, particularly the Jiaoziintroduced during the Song Dynasty, significantly impacted the development of printing by necessitating large-scale production of paper and promoting the use of woodblock printing techniques. This demand for printed materials, initially for currency, later extended to other areas, fostering the spread of literacy, popular literature, and other forms of cultural expression. 

Here's a more detailed look:

Mass Production of Paper:The need to print paper money on a large scale drove advancements in paper production, making it more affordable and accessible. 

Woodblock Printing:The Song Dynasty established printing factories to produce paper money, initially using woodblock printing. This technology, already used for other purposes, was refined and expanded to meet the demands of currency production. 

Spread of Literacy and Culture:Inexpensive paper and printed materials facilitated the spread of literacy and the availability of books, contributing to a flourishing of literary creativity and popular culture. 

Counterfeiting and Security Measures:The Song government also established a department to address counterfeiting, leading to innovations in printing techniques and materials to combat fraud. 

Influence on Metal Movable Type:While woodblock printing was initially dominant, the experience with printing paper money eventually contributed to the development and adoption of metal movable type printing in China in the late 15th century. 

Global Impact:The Chinese experience with paper money and printing also influenced other regions, including Europe, where the technology and concepts related to paper money and printing were eventually adopted.